#WIB -Q&A With Teagan Sandstrom Director of Ithemba Recruitment
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
A. Ithemba Recruitment is a boutique staffing firm, we operate from Kloof. We recruit for our clients on a national and international basis. We try to keep our environment light hearted and fun, our team is ever growing and we find that our environment lends itself to employees that are self managed, well supported and inclusive. We have consultants situated in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban. We are generalist recruiters and find that this gives us more diverse exposure to many industries which keeps our work desks very interesting.
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
A. I started this business in the first quarter of 2017, I had always dreamed of owning my own business in recruitment. I was definitely fearful that it wouldn’t be a success. I originally left my employment to join my husband in his business, however 2 days later, after having a conversation with a friend, she warned me against having all of my “eggs in one basket”. I immediately got my business registered and just started! I was lucky – I made one phone call and signed my first national client, it just so happened that at the time they needed 7 staff nationally. I got to work and haven’t looked back. Over the past 3 years, we have grown exponentially, we have a staff compliment of 7 and have every plan to continue on.
3. What is your role in the business?
A. Managing Director
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
A. After school I was pushed to pick something and do it! I chose Hospitality management through Varsity College. After completing that, I have since completed short courses in Human Resources Management and HR in order to keep abreast of our industry legislation changes.
5. How did you finance your business?
A. I had a very old laptop, a wifi connection and a cell phone, I had enough money for 1 month of bills and was lucky enough to make my first placement in the second month of trading.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
A. Wow, every day is different, that’s what is so great about my job. My day usually starts with a manic household getting husband and kids off for the day. I normally hit my desk at 07:30 with coffee number 1. The team report in by 8:00am and then the madness starts. We have Monday morning meetings, training every second Thursday with the team, I run a networking group (Upper Highway Ladies Networking) and I pretty much jump in where I’m needed. My work generally starts after everyone else clocks off in the afternoon, this is quiet time for me to work on the business.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
A. Phew, this is my biggest struggle! Working from home doesn’t make this easy, thankfully my office space is a separate space that I can walk away from. However, this does lend itself to the ease of quickly slotting in after hours. I have recently put more effort into separating my work and personal life and making more of an effort to be present. If you ask my friends and family they will tell you that I am impossible to get hold of over weekends, the only time my phone comes out is to snap a few pics for my mommy blog.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
A. The need to succeed! I’m an eternal optimist and I refuse to allow my light to be dimmed. I have been careful with selecting my “tribe”. The people who lift me up, who share my aspirations and drive. My team and work environment also keep me going, my loyal clients and of course the absolute pleasure that we get when we change lives through the work that we do!
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
A. I had my best ideas during lock down. I worked on my business in this time, it was a welcomed time that was tough financially but rewarding in so many ways.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
A. For 2.5 years ALL of my business came from networking and client referrals. We have only started to change our methods post the national lock down. We put together marketing plans and have changed our entire sales process. It is working phenomenally well! We have also engaged in training through Action Coach – Marlene Powel and with her guidance, we have been on a steady stream of new business development.
11. What is next for your business?
A. Big things to come! There are no ideas too big for my imagination and we are doing business so differently already that I’m excited for what is to come!
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
A. Just start! It’s difficult to get past the fear because there may not be a financial reward for some time, but if you want it badly enough you will make it happen. All good things come to those who work hard!
Contact information:
teagan@ithembarecruitment.co.za